Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-16
-COMMUNICATED.-
RESTRICTION OF IMMIGRATION,

This complicated question IL submitted
for consideration with the view of ~elicitin
an expression of public sentiment, and i
il supported by some of the reasons which
seem to make such a measure eminentl,
utterly impracticable" does not sufi
GENTLY appear on the surface to warrant 6
hasty conclusion. That the idea is botf
"novel and radical" and also that it is not
governed by precedent is conceded, but il
will DO remembered hat these qualities
are peculiarly American. That it is not
purely a theoretical idea is evidenced by
the passage and successful operation OF the
Chinese Restriction Act. Public opinion
will be divided o. this question as it al.
ways has been on the policy of a protective
tariff, but evidently it has worked good re-
suits, and when it has served the beneficial
purpose for which it was designed this law,
together with land grants and railroad
subsidies, should be at once repealed. A
republican form OF government has gener-
ally been regarded as experimental, and
the potentates OF the world are still watch
ing with a critics eye each successive stage
OF it's development. The ship of State has
safely passed over the shoals and reefs OF
slavery, but her voyage in the far distant
beyond is still on the boundless ocean of
experiment. The inspiration OF these no.
bic minds. which first conceived the ele-
mentary principles of free government dii
not provide in detail for every possible
contingency which might arise in the re-
mote future to endanger the perpetuity
and prosperity OF the American Union:
but this was entrusted to the incompara-
bic genius transmitted by them to the gen
erations following after.
The relations sustained by governments
towards each other are not dissimiIar to
those OF individuals, and the inherent
right OF self-defense, suggests a judicious
exercise OF a discretionary power, limiting
and defining the character OF future immi-
grafton. American soil has thus far been
utilized as a depository for the undesirable
of every nation on the face OF the earth,
and the abuse OF this charitable privilege
threatens to literally overN helm us with
concentrated anarchy and discord. Those
who have no serious apprehensions OF such
q disaster are reminded that the Board OF
Emigration has reported the minimum
yearly arrival OF aliens since 1879 to be
$4,000. Reports also show that 4,273
landed quite recently at Castle Garden liz
q single day. This is practically an en-
c~roachment on the possessions OF the
American people, and an invasion of their
snhapstol rsubk~ II :, kl.,. Al.A ILL., -
CARNATIONS are rendered powerless and la
Dor arbitration utterly futile. No sooner
are differences adjusted and harmonized
than the tempting inducement OF remuner-
alive wages stimulates an inordinate flow |
OF competitive labor, and that p~oetical
land Of the oppressed is transformed into a
home for the oppressor. The only avail
able weapon OF defense employed by the
workipgmen is organized strikes and the
boycott, and this usually results in an
noyance to the employer, an inconven-
fence to the public and a calamity to |
themselves. Capital is in no sense bound
by a moral obligation to pay the laborer
higher wages h a the market value, and
corporation with or without a soul has
ever yet been foolish enough to do so. An
excess OF the labor population when
permitted to emanate from a foreign source
is q suicidal policy, as the workingman is
thus deprived of the means which makes
Cancellation possible. The immensely and
comparatively Insignificant value of our
national productions is not an important
factor in promoting the interests OF the
workingman. Even though every store
and warehouse in the land were filled from
cellar to dome, and that cattle were roam.
ing on . thousand hills, it represents no
value to the dependent laborer; it is the
opportunity to get employment and the
equivalent he receives for it that makes
him contented and happy. The brutal
OF unrestricted competition are equaled
only by those of powerful monopolies.
The workers for wages and the seekers for
vsrk, have entered a protest, and a new
party is 10Y struggling for recog-
,ition. |,
This momentous question is already a
issue and is destined to act a promi-
ent part in deciding political contests for
arty supremacy. 1t would clearly be a
measure. The American party
it, the workingmen's interests re-
uire it, the EFFICIENCY Of the case demands ,
, and that ought to end it. S "A. H. :
BVssE, April II, 1887. 7